Career In Leisure Studies: A Brief Guide
Going out for some fresh air or a relaxing holiday is great, but without the efforts of professionals, it wouldn't be the same. Organizing an activity needs a lot of people, or keeping our parks clean and healthy.
Majoring in leisure and entertainment studies gives you the knowledge and skills to be one of those men.
If you see yourself working outdoors or be the mastermind in designing and implementing rewarding sporting, leisure, and park programs, a course in recreation and leisure is apt for you.
Recreation and leisure studies, you'll learn how well-designed recreation activities can encourage inclusiveness and reinforce a community's cultural fabric.
You will also learn how to prepare, organize, and execute services for all kinds of people— and that learning goes far beyond the classroom thanks to field trips and practices.
Various Categories Of Leisure Studies
- Outdoor Learning Courses train you to work outdoors. You learn how to help and guide others in rock climbing, cycling, canoeing, ice climbing, skiing, and camping, depending on the program. You will also be prepared to tackle a variety of security and survival situations.
- Leisure and Entertainment stress strong leadership and motivational skills to help students learn how to conduct sports and fitness programs. Coaching, health and wellbeing, accident prevention, special events, and more are part of the courses. Some programs, too, may include therapeutic recreation courses.
- Resort & Park Operations; In these classes, you get to learn basic skills related to running a resort or park and plan and manage outdoor activities and sports daily.
Leisure Program Eligibility
To be eligible for regular admission (enrollment) to the Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies program needs a minimum of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) required in the undergraduate major and the total undergraduate degree program.
Required Skills For Leisure Studies
- You are outgoing
- Have a lot of energy/stamina
- You possess exceptional observational skills
- You are a good motivator
You'll have to choose from a wide variety of courses when you complete your degree. In your first year, you'll be studying a combination of Marketing, Economics, Sociology, and Social Science, Leisure Studies and Fitness and Human Performance introductory courses.
The needed Leisure Studies and Management classes will become more advanced in subsequent years, while options for other electives would open up.
During these classes, you will know the theory of recreational studies and health promotion and the management skills and knowledge required to handle recreation services and facilities effectively.
As Entertainment, leisure, and park students, you can find numerous opportunities with adventure travel companies, entertainment centers, government agencies, parks and resorts, outdoor training centers, therapeutic recreation agencies, and more.
You can choose various career options such as Program Coordinator, Wilderness Trip Leader, Recreation and Events Program Coordinator, or Park Administrator.
Colleges That Offer Degree In Leisure Studies
Various colleges are offering both undergraduate and masters degree in Recreation and Leisure studies such as:
Plenty of employment prospects will open up after you graduate. People worldwide spend billions of dollars on tourism, transportation, and other leisure activities, making this one of the biggest industries in the world.
How Much You Will Earn
As per payscale.com, in the United States, after completing a BS in leisure studies, you will earn on an average $55,245 per year. However, your salary also depends on experience and your designation. As a recreational manager, you will earn around $74,000, which is above average. But as a Recreation Coordinator, you will earn around $42,000.
